Deruta-Style Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Table Lamp with Pleated Silk Sari Lampshade – Cosimo
Okay, we know it’s not Dutch—but one of our co-founders is Italian, and when we found this vase at an antique market in Amsterdam, we fell for it instantly.So: meet Cosimo, a one-of-a-kind antique table lamp handcrafted from a 19th-century Italian Renaissance Revival vase. This richly painted ceramic vase—likely made between 1880 and 1900—emulates the vibrant maiolica tradition of 16th-century Deruta, with design and quality consistent with revivalist workshops such as Cantagalli in Florence. Transformed with care into a unique table lamp, Cosimo now serves as both functional lighting and collectible art, imbued with centuries of symbolism and style.
The vase’s iconography is steeped in Renaissance visual language. One side features a hand-painted profile medallion of a noblewoman in classical style—an homage to all’antica portraiture inspired by Roman coins and humanist ideals. The reverse presents a fantastical creature—perhaps part dragon, part sea beast—painted in vivid hues and surrounded by scrolling ornament. Its stylized form reflects the Renaissance fascination with grotteschi: hybrid beings drawn from myth, nature, and imagination, often used to animate the borders of maiolica and frescoes alike. These whimsical figures were a hallmark of workshops in Deruta and Faenza, blending the real and the surreal in playful, decorative compositions. Framing these central vignettes are scrolls and garlands in cobalt blue, golden ochre, and verdant green, painted under a softly crackled tin glaze. The whole design evokes the Raffaellesque aesthetic, rich with symbolic allusions to myth, nature, and classical ideals.
Topping the lamp is a bespoke, pleated silk lampshade, handcrafted from a vintage Indian sari. Commissioned exclusively for this piece and made in an atelier near Amsterdam, the shade’s earthy florals echo the vase’s palette, balancing vibrant ornament with soft, diffused light. Every detail—from the sari’s delicate weave to the gathered pleats—is one-of-a-kind, designed to harmonize with the historic character of the base.
Cosimo is a distinctive example of handcrafted lamps that fuse historical artistry with contemporary elegance. This antique table lamp adds patina and presence to refined interiors—perfect for a living room or bedroom where character and craftsmanship matter. Its transformation from Renaissance Revival pottery to bespoke lighting speaks to a tradition of sustainable craftsmanship, offering timeless beauty with cultural depth.
Height: 58 cm (23 in) with lampshade
Diameter: 35 cm (12.6 in) with lampshade
*Please note that after the subtotal page, at checkout, 21% VAT will be applied for customers within Europe. Customers in the UK, USA, and other countries may be subject to local taxes and duties which are not included in our prices. Rates can differ widely based on your location, and we advise you to check with your local customs office for more information.
Okay, we know it’s not Dutch—but one of our co-founders is Italian, and when we found this vase at an antique market in Amsterdam, we fell for it instantly.So: meet Cosimo, a one-of-a-kind antique table lamp handcrafted from a 19th-century Italian Renaissance Revival vase. This richly painted ceramic vase—likely made between 1880 and 1900—emulates the vibrant maiolica tradition of 16th-century Deruta, with design and quality consistent with revivalist workshops such as Cantagalli in Florence. Transformed with care into a unique table lamp, Cosimo now serves as both functional lighting and collectible art, imbued with centuries of symbolism and style.
The vase’s iconography is steeped in Renaissance visual language. One side features a hand-painted profile medallion of a noblewoman in classical style—an homage to all’antica portraiture inspired by Roman coins and humanist ideals. The reverse presents a fantastical creature—perhaps part dragon, part sea beast—painted in vivid hues and surrounded by scrolling ornament. Its stylized form reflects the Renaissance fascination with grotteschi: hybrid beings drawn from myth, nature, and imagination, often used to animate the borders of maiolica and frescoes alike. These whimsical figures were a hallmark of workshops in Deruta and Faenza, blending the real and the surreal in playful, decorative compositions. Framing these central vignettes are scrolls and garlands in cobalt blue, golden ochre, and verdant green, painted under a softly crackled tin glaze. The whole design evokes the Raffaellesque aesthetic, rich with symbolic allusions to myth, nature, and classical ideals.
Topping the lamp is a bespoke, pleated silk lampshade, handcrafted from a vintage Indian sari. Commissioned exclusively for this piece and made in an atelier near Amsterdam, the shade’s earthy florals echo the vase’s palette, balancing vibrant ornament with soft, diffused light. Every detail—from the sari’s delicate weave to the gathered pleats—is one-of-a-kind, designed to harmonize with the historic character of the base.
Cosimo is a distinctive example of handcrafted lamps that fuse historical artistry with contemporary elegance. This antique table lamp adds patina and presence to refined interiors—perfect for a living room or bedroom where character and craftsmanship matter. Its transformation from Renaissance Revival pottery to bespoke lighting speaks to a tradition of sustainable craftsmanship, offering timeless beauty with cultural depth.
Height: 58 cm (23 in) with lampshade
Diameter: 35 cm (12.6 in) with lampshade
*Please note that after the subtotal page, at checkout, 21% VAT will be applied for customers within Europe. Customers in the UK, USA, and other countries may be subject to local taxes and duties which are not included in our prices. Rates can differ widely based on your location, and we advise you to check with your local customs office for more information.
Okay, we know it’s not Dutch—but one of our co-founders is Italian, and when we found this vase at an antique market in Amsterdam, we fell for it instantly.So: meet Cosimo, a one-of-a-kind antique table lamp handcrafted from a 19th-century Italian Renaissance Revival vase. This richly painted ceramic vase—likely made between 1880 and 1900—emulates the vibrant maiolica tradition of 16th-century Deruta, with design and quality consistent with revivalist workshops such as Cantagalli in Florence. Transformed with care into a unique table lamp, Cosimo now serves as both functional lighting and collectible art, imbued with centuries of symbolism and style.
The vase’s iconography is steeped in Renaissance visual language. One side features a hand-painted profile medallion of a noblewoman in classical style—an homage to all’antica portraiture inspired by Roman coins and humanist ideals. The reverse presents a fantastical creature—perhaps part dragon, part sea beast—painted in vivid hues and surrounded by scrolling ornament. Its stylized form reflects the Renaissance fascination with grotteschi: hybrid beings drawn from myth, nature, and imagination, often used to animate the borders of maiolica and frescoes alike. These whimsical figures were a hallmark of workshops in Deruta and Faenza, blending the real and the surreal in playful, decorative compositions. Framing these central vignettes are scrolls and garlands in cobalt blue, golden ochre, and verdant green, painted under a softly crackled tin glaze. The whole design evokes the Raffaellesque aesthetic, rich with symbolic allusions to myth, nature, and classical ideals.
Topping the lamp is a bespoke, pleated silk lampshade, handcrafted from a vintage Indian sari. Commissioned exclusively for this piece and made in an atelier near Amsterdam, the shade’s earthy florals echo the vase’s palette, balancing vibrant ornament with soft, diffused light. Every detail—from the sari’s delicate weave to the gathered pleats—is one-of-a-kind, designed to harmonize with the historic character of the base.
Cosimo is a distinctive example of handcrafted lamps that fuse historical artistry with contemporary elegance. This antique table lamp adds patina and presence to refined interiors—perfect for a living room or bedroom where character and craftsmanship matter. Its transformation from Renaissance Revival pottery to bespoke lighting speaks to a tradition of sustainable craftsmanship, offering timeless beauty with cultural depth.
Height: 58 cm (23 in) with lampshade
Diameter: 35 cm (12.6 in) with lampshade
*Please note that after the subtotal page, at checkout, 21% VAT will be applied for customers within Europe. Customers in the UK, USA, and other countries may be subject to local taxes and duties which are not included in our prices. Rates can differ widely based on your location, and we advise you to check with your local customs office for more information.
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Our lamps are equipped with an E27 bulb fitting, compatible with both E27 and E26 bulbs (common in Europe and the U.S., respectively).
We also ensure compatibility for global use by offering a free plug customization service to match the electrical standards of your specific country.
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We offer worldwide shipping, with personal delivery or pick-up available in the greater Amsterdam area. At checkout, you can choose from a variety of shipping options tailored to your needs.
For any inquiries, our team is always ready to assist you!
About the Origin
A wave of historicist ceramics emerged in Italy during the late 19th century, driven by a fascination with the forms and iconography of the Renaissance. Artisans and collectors alike looked to 16th-century maiolica from Deruta, Faenza, and Urbino, reviving its distinctive palette, heraldic symbolism, and all’antica portraiture. The movement celebrated humanist ideals and regional identity, often featuring mythic creatures, classical busts, and intricate scrollwork rendered in tin-glazed earthenware. Leading workshops such as Ulisse Cantagalli’s in Florence embraced traditional techniques to produce finely painted wares that honored the past while appealing to the antiquarian tastes of a modernizing world.
